Azzedine Ounahi struck twice in the second half to shatter Canada's World Cup dreams and propel Morocco into the quarter-finals of the 2026 tournament. The midfielder broke the deadlock shortly after the interval and sealed the victory with a clinical finish into the roof of the net as Morocco caught the co-hosts on the counter-attack.
Morocco Dominate Second Half
After a tightly contested first half, Morocco emerged with renewed energy after the break. Ounahi opened the scoring in the 48th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Canada. The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Morocco's favor, as they began to control possession and create chances.
Canada struggled to respond, and their hopes were dashed when Ounahi struck again in the 75th minute. A swift counter-attack caught the Canadian defense off guard, allowing Ounahi to fire a powerful shot past the goalkeeper. Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal in stoppage time, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Atlas Lions.
Co-Hosts Crash Out
Canada became the first co-host to be eliminated from the expanded 48-team tournament, a disappointing end to their campaign. Despite a spirited performance in the group stage, they were unable to match Morocco's intensity and tactical discipline in the knockout round.
Morocco's victory marks the second consecutive World Cup in which they have reached the quarter-finals, following their historic run in 2022. The team will now prepare for a challenging match against either Portugal or Switzerland in the next round.
Key Performances
Azzedine Ounahi was the standout player, earning the Man of the Match award for his two goals. His movement off the ball and finishing ability proved decisive. Morocco's defense also deserves credit for keeping a clean sheet against a Canadian side that had shown attacking threat earlier in the tournament.
Morocco's coach praised his team's resilience and tactical execution. "We knew Canada would be tough, but we stayed focused and took our chances," he said. "This is a proud moment for Moroccan football."
